Tag: acrylic

Throwback Thursday: mixed afghan

On By CarynIn Craft

My grandmother had an unfinished afghan when she passed. It looked like she missed a pattern switch and the next step would be to rip out a whole section and she just decided not to and set it aside. I took the partial project and rather than rip out any stitches, turned it into a mixed method project, using different sections of knit and crochet to tie it all together.

Photo description: artful photo of the folds of the afghan which show all the different panel textures using knit, crochet, and Tunisian crochet
Photo description: finished afghan spread out on a King-sized bed

I deliberately made the afghan long at my Mom’s request, because most blanket throws can’t be wrapped around our feet and shoulders at the same time (we are taller than average). I couldn’t find the exact same yarn and dye lot, so added in a complementary olive green yarn to make it obtain the extra length.

This was a personal family project, but there is an organization called Loose Ends that helps families with unfinished projects that their loved ones have left behind find skilled craftspeople to complete the projects so the family has a final memento. You can visit the website or follow them on social media. Grab your tissues.

Throwback Thursday: more rocks

On By CarynIn art, Craft

Here is a collection of painted rocks photographed in June 2018 from one of my eye periods.

Photo description: painted rocks: left to right, top to bottom: octopus eye, sunset tree, cat eye through keyhole, blue human eye, tree frog, lady bugs, brown human eye, dog eye, reptilian eye

I think this wraps up the week of “more”. I had a couple blog titles naturally start with the word more, and ran with it awhile. Tomorrow we’ll go back to the regularly scheduled title randomness.

The incredible sweater machine

On By CarynIn Craft

I bought an “incredible sweater machine” (as seen on TV) on the FB marketplace, because I read that it was an easy beginner’s machine. These were being produced in the 1990s, and production stopped in England in 2015. It is a very basic setup, but I wanted it to make custom pieces for my youngest, who has a hard time with off-the-rack clothing.

Photo description: inside the incredible sweater machine box, with original skein of yarn

I decided to use the Singer treadle table to set up the machine because the solid wood top was the right thickness and the narrow depth looked like the tables in the demonstration videos. Someone kindly transferred the VHS to YouTube, so I was able to watch it (90s flashback, wow).

Photo description: the incredible sweater machine set up on a narrow wood plank screwed to a cast iron treadle base

Reading the manual and watching the video helped me get started quite quickly. I made the first square in about a half hour, including backstitching the live edges.

Photo description: 50 stitches and 72 rows made on the incredible sweater machine
Photo description: square of knitted fabric with back stitched hems and removed from the machine

I later did weave in the ends, but was quite impressed with how well the simple machine works.

And how did I not know about backstitching the final row of knitting?!? I need to try it with ribbing next. So stretchy and neat.

Throwback Thursday: painted flags

On By CarynIn art, Craft

In April 2018 I decided to try making my own garden flags. I taped down cotton cloth on cardboard with masking tape, then used acrylic paint to completely cover the cloth.

Photo description: four garden flags freshly painted, drying on the cardboard where they were taped for painting

Once the paint was dry I hemmed the flags and sewed in the top channel so they could hang on my garden flag pole.

Photo description: finished flag hanging vertically in the garden

These flags held up remarkably well. If I were to make them again, I would be sure to iron the fabric before taping it down, and sew the pocket at the top wide enough to accommodate the loops that are on my holder. In summary, iron the fabric, and measure twice, cut once, which is good advice for most projects.

Finished diagonal blanket

On By CarynIn Craft

I was finally able to weave in all the ends for the diagonal crochet blanket made from scrap acrylic yarn. Yes, I had to negotiate around persistent cats to do so.

Photo description: white, cream, gray, and green diagonally stripped crocheted acrylic blanket laying over a barcalounger chair

I did not add the edge because I’m so pleased with how even the edges came out, and how crisp the corners are, that I didn’t want to overshadow it with more stitches.

Photo description: calico cat curled up on the same blanket that is folded up on the ottoman

And the blanket will be staying in house, since it is a cat magnet. Izzy the calico is pleased.

The blanket is narrower than usual throws, but it works well on the chair, and is more a summer weight. The narrowness makes it easier to stick out a foot for temperature control.